NFRA Urges Referees to Apply and Share FIFA MA Course Knowledge
Members of the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NFRA) who participated in the 2026 edition of the FIFA Member Association (MA) Course have been charged to not only apply the knowledge gained on the field of play but also to take it back to their respective councils and societies as teachers.
The call was made by NFRA Acting President, Sir Kelechi Mejuobi, during the closing ceremony of the two-week programme held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The course featured Young Talents, Beach Soccer referees, and later Elite Referees, all undergoing intensive training under international and local instructors.
Mejuobi praised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for sustaining the annual programme and making this year’s edition memorable with five-star hotel accommodation, quality uniforms, and proper feeding.
He emphasized that the best way to appreciate the federation’s efforts was for participants to put into practice what they had learned.
‘The only way we can appreciate the efforts of the NFF and the instructions after this exercise is to translate what was learnt on the field of play when we are called to officiate. It is compulsory to experiment with what was taught,’ Mejuobi said.
He further urged referees to share knowledge with colleagues who could not attend the course, stressing that the programme was designed as a capacity-building workshop to improve officiating nationwide.
‘Since every referee cannot be brought to Abuja to be part of the FIFA MA Course, take the contents home to teach others in your societies and councils. Don’t hoard the knowledge. Share it. You are our pilot project for teaching the latest developments in the laws of the game,’ he added.
Addressing concerns about security challenges faced by match officials, Mejuobi encouraged referees to remain steadfast in applying the rules of the game.
He revealed that the NFRA had set up a Security and Safety Monitoring Committee and was engaging relevant authorities to tackle recurring attacks on referees at match venues.
